Leros
Situated between Patmos and Kalimnos, Leros is an island of small fertile
valleys sandwiched between rolling green hills, deep coves and pretty
beaches.
Leros' topography has given rise to many villages. The most important
is the capital, Agia Marina - united with two other villages, Platanos
and Pandeli, on the back side of the hill - a collection of little white
houses, neoclassical buildings and narrow alleyways. It starts at the
seaside and gradually climbs up the sides of the hill, whose summit is
dominated by the sombre remains of a Byzantine castle. Of special significance
during Byzantine times, its shape is that given it by the Knights of St.
John, who arrived in Leros in the 14th century. Still standing today are
the circuit wall and the church of Our Lady within it.
Laki, 3km south of Agia Marina, is the island's port. It is built at
the back of a deep, practically enclosed bay, whose mouth is only 500
metres wide. This is one of the largest and best natural harbours in the
Mediterranean. Alinda, Xirokambos, and Partheni are charming seaside villages,
while you'll find wonderful swimming at the beaches of Agia Marina, Pandeli,
Vromolitho, Alinda, Laki, Merikia, and Xirokambos, to name a few.
Kalimnos
Castles, remnants of fortresses, archaeological finds, and old churches
bear witness to the continuous importance of Kalimnos in the history of
the Aegean. Its natural attractions - caves, lovely beaches, unspoilt
scenery - make it a mini earthly paradise. Kalimnos is widely known as
the spongefishers' island, since such a large portion of the population
is engaged in this age - old occupation.
The traditional village of Emborios is Symi's second port. The ancient
town of Metapontis was situated close by.
Once the island's capital was located at Horio, which benefited from
the protection offered by the castle of the Knights of St. John just above
it. Today's capital is Pothia or Kalimnos, founded around 1850 by the
inhabitants of Horio.
Its brightly coloured houses surround the port like the seats in an amphitheatre,
arranged along the hillsides down to the caiques and fishing boats bobbing
below. An old church dedicated to Christ the Saviour adorns the waterfront.
It is decorated with frescoes and valuable icons, while its iconostasis
is the work of the well known sculptor, Yiannoulis Halepas.
Kalimnos has other charming villages, like Vathi, set in a fertile valley
full of citrus tress, and Metohi, on the southeast side of the island.
The quiet hamlet of Emborios lies to the north. To the west are Massouri,
Mirties, Kamari and Panormos where one can try sea-food delicacies such
as "fousces" and "chtapokeftedes". On the road to
Panormos, you wiil notice the remains of a three - aisled basilica dedicated
to Christ of Jerusalem, which was erected around the 6th century on the
site of an ancient temple where Delian Apollo was worshipped. To the north
of the main town is Pera Kastro, also called the Castle of the Golden
Hands (Hrissoheria), because the chapel in its interior has an icon of
the Virgin whose hands are covered with gold leaf. Northeast of Pothia,
at the foot of Flaska hiil, is the cave of the Seven Virgins or Nymphs
(not to be visited).
Kalimnos boasts two other caves, the richly decorated Skalies, about
100m from the village of Skalia in the north of the island (not to be
visited), and Kefalas or Trypas Kefalas to the south (which can be visited
and one can approach it by boat).
At Therma, only 1km or so from Pothia, there are radioactive springs
and therapeutic bathing installations, rooms where visitors may spend
the night, and specially trained personnel to assist them. Among the lovely
beaches on Kalimnos are Massouri, Mirties and Arginondas along the west
coast and Vlyhadia in the south.
Kos
This island has given the world Hippocrates, father of medicine; it looks
like a huge floating garden. The city is built along a wide bay and catches
the eye from the very first moment. Here we shall visit the Knights' Castle,
an impressive medieval building, Freedom Square with its huge plane, under
the shadow of which Hippocrates is said to have taught, also Roman homes
with marvelous mosaics early Christian basilicas and the Museum, with
its' statue of Hippocrates (4th century B.C.) and other fascinating items
of Ancient, Hellenistic and Roman times.
We can also see the Doric Temple of Venus, the Roman School of Music
and the Castle, built c. 1450 - 1478 by the knights of St. John on the
ruins of the ancient wall.
The Castle houses a small collection of Classical sculptures as well
as inscriptions of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Christian
period.
4km to the SE of the city we shall visit the Aesculapium, infirmary of
Antiquity, which began to be built in the 4th century B.C. The ground
slope is such that buildings exist on four different levels connected
by a marble stair-case. Among the ruins we can discern the Temple of Aesculapius,
the Stoa of Hippocrates' medical school, and the altar.
The island boasts villages well known for their beauty, e.g. Asfendiou
(14km from the city), Kardamaina (by the sea) and Pyli. From Pyli the
road leads to Palio Pyli, with remnants of an old castle, and to the fishing
village Marmari and Mastichari. At the southwestern end of the island
lies Kefalos, a village endowed with wonderful sandy beaches and little
tavernas. In Kefalos, at the Palatia site, we can see the ruins of Astypalaia,
capital city of the island in Antiquity.
There is a beautiful beach near the town. There are others - marvelous
and often quiet places - all over the island, some of them accessible
by bicycle - a means of transport much used in Kos.
Symi
A lovely, mountainous island, Symi (or Simi) was reputed to be the birthplace
of the Three Graces. While its interior is punctuated with small valleys,
its coastline alternates between being steep and rocky or sandy and indented
with little coves.
In antiquity it bore the names Aigli and Metapontis. It took its present
name from the nymph Syme, who was Poseidon's wife. After its conquest
by the Knights of St. John in 1373, commerce and shipping flourished until
steam replaced sail. The stately mansions in the main town date from this
period, which reached its peak in the 19th century.
The capital in the north of the island bears the same name and is divided
into the upper and lower town, Ano Symi and Kato Poli. The lower town
is also called Yialos. The two districts are linked by a lane so steep
it has steps. It is flanked by charming neoclassical houses, some of them
painted in warm pastel colours, with balconies and peaked, red tile roofs.
Many of them also are embellished with neoclassical features on the doors
and windows. Their interiors are decorated with wood carvings, the locals
having been adept at the craft for generations. The highest point in Ano
Symi is capped by the usual castle of the Knights of St. John, whose emblem
can be seen above the main portal. The traditional village of Emborios
is Symi's second port. The ancient town of Metapontis was situated close
by.
One of the island's most famous landmarks is the monastery of the Archangel
Michael Panormitis on the southwest coast. Built in the early 18th century,
it overlooks the bay bearing its name in a setting combining mountain
and sea. It contains marvellous Byzantine frescoes and an intricately
carved iconostasis.
There is no lack of wonderful beaches on Symi. You'll find good swimming
at Yialos, Pedio, Emborios, Marathounda, Nanou as well as on the nearby
islets of Agia Marina and Nimos.
Astipalaia
A fine spectacle is offered by the vilage of Astypalea or Hora, beginning
from the islets the traveller can admire before reaching the picturesque
bay of the city. The wharf is at the south-east extremity. The beauty
of Hora is accented by its white houses surrounding the walls of the Byzantine
fortress, on the top of the hill, and descending to the seashore. Being
part of the scenery, the old mills on the height complete the imposing
panorama. Within the area of the Castle fallen in ruins, where still remain,
as the only mark of the Guerinis' rule, their blazons, we come across
two churches: the older one of St George and the modern one of the Annunciation.
The Church of Panaghia Portaitissa or of the Castle, just at the foot
of the Castle, is one of the finest in the Dodecanese. It was built by
the holy man Anthimos the Blind in 1764 with the assistance of the old
priest Michael. The altar screen carved in wood and overlapped with gold-foil
is one of the most beautiful of the kind. The icon of Virgin Mary is a
faithful reproduction of Panaghia Portaitissa of the Convent of Ibers
on the Mount Athos. It was the holy man himself who brought it from Mount
Athos. The Church holds its feast on the 15th of August. On that day popular
rejoicings take place.
Livadia (15km from Hora). South-east of Khora a passable road leads to
this little settlement covered with trees and endowed with a splendid
beach and with taverns-restaurants.
Agios Constantinos. At about 3km from Hora, at the southest part of the
island, we find this charming beach. Armenokhori. This locality is pleasantly
situated on a plateau where leads a branching off the road west of Hora.
The feast of St Pantelimon is celebrated there on the 27th July, followed
by popular festivities. Convent of Panaghia Flevaritissa. A branching
off the same road, left, leads to this unrivalled site. The convent has
a small guest house. Messaria. On the west the road leads to Messaria
and to the Convent of St John with the delightful beach and the Castle.
The convent celebrates its feast on the 29th August. Convent of Livia.
On the north-west of Hora the road leads to the convent, built on the
slope of a mountain, overlooking the sea and having a small guest house.
Further the main road leads to Analipsis or Maltezana. A picturesque settlement
with its white houses and its flowery fields and gardens, the vast beach
and taverns. One can admire the well preserved mosaics of a Roman swimming
pool and the monument of the French philhellene captain Bigon, who died
in 1827, by setting fire to his corvette to avoid being captured by pirates.
Vathy, the remotest and most isolated locality in the island. It is divided
into Exo-Vathy (outer Vathy), on this side of the mouth of the oblong
bay, and Mesa-Vathy (inner Vathy) in the recess of the bay. There are
vast beaches, taverns-restaurants and some rooms to let. Grottos of the
island. Two of them are the most important: the Grotto of the Dragon or
"Dracospilia", near Vathy, ornamented with stalactites and stalagmites
amidst a fairy-like scenery; and the Negro's Grotto near the locality
Vatses, formerly a pirates' den, with a strait mouth and adorned with
stalactites and stalagmites.
Tilos
Tilos is a beautiful island with population 300. Except the sun and the
clean , peaceful beaches, there are some unique sights in this piece of
land.
Recently a rare descovery took place in Tilos. A cave full of skeletal
elephants with unusual size have been found. The elephants were smaller
than the usual ones. This is unique phenomenon. Some of these skeletons
have been assembled and they are exposed at the island. The cave is a
place worthly to visit.
Rhodes
The best way to discover these islands, however, is the road of history,
then one's soul becomes one with the Aegean; one does not want to part
from these islands and the sea. If we go, memory will haunt us and call
us back. Follow then an archaic, Hellenistic, Byzantine or postbyzantine
itinerary, and you shall see Rhodes.
The largest island of the Dodecanese. Here the sun rules all the year
long, summer extends and branches into other seasons, warming them with
its breath.The famous Colossus which used to stand in the port of Rhodes,
Mandraki, in Antiquity was one of the seven wonders of the world.
The city of Rhodes, at the north end of the island, presents a dual face.
The old town is encircled by medieval castles; there are narrow lanes,
stone mansions, churches, the Knights' Castle, Knights' Hospital and the
Castello.
Then the new city extends beyond these suggestive walls - with its wide
streets, beautiful buildings, glamorous hotels and shops full of characteristic
items of Rhodian folk art.
Karpathos
Karpathos or Pigadia the capital - is marked by the peculiar Karpathian
houses, built of carved stone, full of embroidery and characteristic interior
decorations. From Pigadia we shall visit Kyra Panagia, a picturesque bay
with a marvelous beach and a monastery of the same name. A little further,
on the northern promontory of Karpathos, lies the Diafani village; on
the nearby little island of Saria we see Palatia, with ruins of the ancient
city of Nisyros.
In the northern part of the island there are high mountains full of forests;
Profitis Elias is the highest (1140m). From the tiny port of Diafani we
shall visit the mountainous village of Olympus, whose inhabitants take
care to preserve local traditions. They cultivate their folk art; older
people use the Karpathian dialect which includes many Doric elements.
The women of Olympus go on wearing their traditional local costumes in
everyday life even today.
In Karpathos we have the opportunity to taste traditional local dishes
like "memoula" (offered on the 25th of March), chickpeas, pilau
rice and sweets like baklava. Karpathian feasts and weddings are renowned.
Karpathos island is located between the 2 well known greek islands of
Rhodes and Crete, with a history dating back to the Minoan era of 2nd
millennium B.C. In the Doric times it is refered to as Tetrapolis, after
the four famous cities, Potideo or Possideo (in the area of the present
capital), Arkessia (the present Arkassa), Vrykous and Nissyros (in the
area of Olympos). Karpathos aims at tourism, armed with the unrivaled
weapons of authentic pure natural beauties, its unique wealth, all enhanced
by the hospitality of its residents. Its magnificent beaches, its secluded
small bays, its imposing mountain peaks, its well-mannered inhabitants
who, dressed up in their traditional costumes preserve the beauty of tradition
(not only at their marriages or feasts) render Karpathos, unique, ideal
to any appreciative visitor.
Karpathos comprises 12 villages lived in by a total of 6.000 people.
All villages preserve intensively the traditional character (in style)
of the island, which present a particular folkloric interest. In the South
of the island one can find Pigadia (Karpathos), capital and main port
of the island offering a quiet environment and proper service to the visitors.
The capital is surrounded by the villages of Menetes, Arkassa, Finiki,
Aperi, Volada, Othos- with a folkloric museum at a typical old house of
Karpathos that present a particular interest, as well as Piles. In the
North of the island one can find Messochori, Spoa and Olympos the last
village in the North of the island, of great folkloric and architectural
interest. Customs and habits have remained unaltered since the15th century.
The austere architecture, the rich internal decoration of the houses and
the famous feasts compose a unique setting on a world wide basis.
Beaches such as Vrontis (Karpathos), Amopi (Menetes), Kira-Panaghia (Aperi),
Lefkos (Mesochori), Agios Nicolaos (Spoa) and Agios Nicolaos (Arkassa)
are the most organized with tavernas and rooms to let. Less touristic
and rather isolated are the beaches of Achata (Aperi), Apella (Vollada),
Phokia, Agios Thoros and the seaside village of Finiki. One can find a
beach at Kassos, next to its port or even at the small islands of Armathia
and Makra.
Kassos
Kassos, the most southern of the Dodecanese, is only 27 nautical miles
northeast of Crete. Its first inhabitants are thought to have been the
Phoenicians. Homer mentions it in his catalogue of the Greek cities that
took part in the Trojan War. Kassos is a mountainous island with a steep,
rocky coastline and few beaches.
In the 18th century, Kassos established its own merchant fleet and grew
rich from trade. It played an active role in the Greek War of Independence
of 1821, earning the revenge of the Turko Egyptian armada which set fire
to the island in May 1824 and subsequently slaughtered its inhabitants.
Only a few survived.
The capital of the island is Fri, built on picturesque Bouka Bay. Its
old stone houses - many of them constructed by sea captains - extend on
both sides down to the sea. To the east and very near Fri is Emborios,
the island's other coastal village. It boasts a beautiful church dedicated
to the Nativity of the Virgin. Other villages include Agia Marina, set
on a hill just one kilometre southwest of Fri and Arvanitohori, southeast
of Agia Marina, nestled in the island's only valley. 2km from Agia Marina
there is a cave called Sellai, 30m deep and 8m wide with impressive stalactites.
Swimmers will find pleasant beaches at Fri. Emborios, Ammouda and on
the nearby islet of Armathia.
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